Ashok Leyland on Wednesday declared that it was confident of consolidating its presence in the southern and western markets in the country with the launch of its ICVs (Intermediate Commercial Vehicles) with the name ‘Boss’.

Slump in market

Ashok Leyland Managing Director Vinod K. Dasari said the market was reeling under the effects of a never-before slump, due to economy in general, drastic reduction of mining activity and reduced spend on infrastructure projects.

Contrary to opinion that new launches would not be successful, he believed that it was the right time for the range, with a carrying capacity between eight to 16 tonnes, to be introduced. They were welcomed since the launch in Tamil Nadu and Kerala this September, he said.

The Boss ICVs were available in LE and LX variants and one variant every month would be released into the market, Mr. Dasari said. The state-of-the-art Pantnagar plant of the company in Uttarakhand could roll out 2,000 units a month and only after covering India would the export market be addressed, including countries that required left-hand drive models, he stated.

Showroom opened

Accompanied by Manoj Kumar, Zonal Head, Ashok Leyland and Rajiv Sanghvi, of its channel partner Automotive Manufacturers, Mr. Dasari opened an exclusive new showroom at Autonagar here, one that was the first to be designed for selling trucks, on the lines of that selling cars.

In the past five years, he said the market for ICVs had grown from 28,000 to 57,000.

“We are keen to grow in this segment with ‘Boss’ at 9.6, 11.9 and 12.9 tonnes. We have gained a significant market share and after consolidating in the southern and then the western parts of the country, we will go across India,” he stated.

However, he pointed out that the market was tough, with the growth coming down from 3,30,000 units two years ago, to 2,50,000.

Market reeling under the effects of a never-before slump, due to economy in general, drastic reduction of mining activity and reduced spend on infrastructure projects

Vinod K. Dasari

Ashok Leyland MD

Company launches Intermediate Commercial Vehicles (ICVs) with the name ‘Boss’